The actress plays a new character, Admiral Holdo, who "enters the Resistance to shake things up," she told Entertainment Weekly.

Although the Resistance destroyed the Starkiller Base in "The Force Awakens," their side — commanded by General Leia (the late Carrie Fisher) is in some disarray. Holdo arrives to take charge, temporarily, and butts heads with pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac)

"She doesn't particularly look like your typical military leader, and so I think there's a bit of distrust for Poe," Isaac said. "He's not sure what to make of her, and then the way she speaks, the things she says."

Poe seems to take issue with Holdo's longer view of the Resistance's strategy. "With the Resistance being in such a precarious situation, he wants to do the right thing, and doesn't want to just wait and let things happen," Isaac explained. "He doesn't necessarily agree with the way Holdo sees the role of the Resistance in this particular moment."

Dern noted that the reaction to Holdo's unconventional style mirrors how female bosses are viewed in our world.

"From the director to the producers, everyone was painstaking about not only the look, but even the exact color of hair, what it should be and trying different versions," Dern said. "And all I know is I think it's so cool. I love the way she looks. I want to be Holdo for Halloween."